Behind Downwest bridge was the center of business owners. A long chain of stores heading endlessly into Creso street. Inside its heart was Cafe d Luna, owned by Pablo Piña. The building was painted brick red, pressed between two other buildings, it stood a little lower. By the right was the hardware store owned by Mr Jonas and left was a fabric store by Mrs Smith. Inside had its charm, a rich flavour of brew coming out from the first jiggles of the door bell with caramel coloured chair and matching tables. Unlike other cafes, this one stood out. Pablo had his traditions. The right coffee was to be made with a kettle. Everything was done from scratch. The secret like Pablo will say to a great coffee was the RGB follow up. Roast, Grind and balance. Cafe d Luna was an old business passed down from generation to generation in the Piña family. It had its marks on the people. Much so that the business moved around clock wise. Fitting seamlessly into the routine of the working class. It was packed with men in suits and women in pantyhose. Mid day had its dry spell dragging towards dawn till close up by nine.
I sighted exhausted. It had been a long day. A packed room filled with tireless customers. I could finally breathe. Yet, I felt detached from everything. Wrapping my hands around myself. I looked through the stained glass. Here in Windsor town the view was great. The sky seemed a stretch away and the moon a gulb of light. But even the sight couldn't distract me. I couldn't shake off this odd feeling like a chilling breeze.
"So.. how do I look? The voice snapped me out of the trace. Faced front looking at my best friend Tash. She was dressed in a black sleeveless gown and nude heels.
"You look great," I said. Beaming, she did a little spin.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" she said.
"Josh has been talking about this party for weeks" Her voice rose higher, enthusiastic about the night. I chewed at my bottom lips. Tash has been talking about this party for months now. It was this supper chic party taking place in Louisa that Josh had heard about from a friend of a friend. I didn't have any particular reason for not going other than I didn't want to.
"Planning on making new recipes" I hoped the excuse was bulletproof. She didn't say anything after that. I took that as an escape plan. If Tash had her way, we would be stumbling our way into the party and half way drunker than we came. Taking off my apron I hung it on the rank.
"Okay but just know you are missing out. Free booze" she stressed out. Smiling, I shrugged in indifference. I heard her hiss. Resisting the urge to laugh, I brushed away nonexistent dirt from my apron.
"Just this time" She said, coming closer and reaching for me from behind. Hugging her back, I spinned around smiling into her neck. She smelled like vanilla. Her blonde hair was styled into a curly twist leaving a feather -like kiss. Breaking free, I watched her adjusting the hem of her dress. Taking her purse from the rank and placing it crossed belly.
"Where am I going to find a new drinking buddy?" she said, frowning.
"You will survive," I said lightly.
"It won't be the same, Josh can hardly hold his liquor"
It was true despite his persona. Josh was what you call a social butterfly. He was like a human magnet pulling everyone into his own world. But I felt bad for ditching at the last minute. I didn't have the energy for a wild night out with my best friend.
"Make sure to call me when you get there," I said. Louisa was at the outskirts of town. Closer to the border.
I met Tasha on the day I had just left the orphanage with my knapstack and a white envelope. I can still remember how it felt like when Matron Rita slipped it into my hands. When I told her I had to leave the St Andrews Catholic Home. How scared and excited I was to finally be out. I had just turned the legal age and no one had to tell me I had over stayed my welcome. Matron Rita didn't say anything after my rambling. She went back inside and came back with the fat white envelope. I still felt high on euphoria still sidetracked on my fake reality of hope. I had no plans and no place to stay. I just knew I had to make ends meet and survive. But I had no idea where to start. Roaming around mindlessly I accidentally bumped into someone along with their breakfast. The blue blouse I wore that day got stained in brown. Countless apologies followed and frantic gushing. Tash offered her place to clean up and I agreed immediately. Maybe that was my dead giveaway, my wide eyes expression and runaway teen attire. I didn't know what to say when she asked where I was staying?
Or if I would like to stay with her? I didn't say a thing but felt the uncomfortable pressure of the envelope.
"I really have to go lova ya" she called out stepping out from the backdoor.
As I walked down the street passing only a handful of people by a distant block. I couldn't help but think what a shitty friend I was to Tash. I had canceled our plans at the last minute. I shouldn't have stood her up. Along with no clue on what to do, I still couldn't come up with any new recipes. The banana special combo wasn't selling and neither were the fruities. The menu needed a new kick, something to bring in more sales. I had no incentive and I wasn't someone that just let things flow and I was especially annoyed by the stale smell of open sewage. I sighed, distracted hearing the low thud of my foot on gravel.
Suddenly something screeched out, I jumped up in fright, my heart drumming inside my ribcage. Looking around cautiously, spotting bright yellow feline eyes by the ally. It watched me from across like a two faced mirror. Only its eyes are visible. The hair behind my neck stood still, as I watched the cat watch me. Covering myself with both hands, I hurried down trying to compose myself. It was only a stray cat. This part of town was filled with strays. Every single broken widow, graffiti paint and jammed fence washed away by night. Hiding the horror story that was Creso street. It was one of the low income places filled with dozens of environmental hazards. Straining my neck, I thought I heard footsteps. But there was nothing there. Counting down time, I focused on the comfort of home, the apartment was only a block away. Still I kept drifting paranoid by every brush of cold wind. But when I heard it again, I knew I wasn't imagining. Holding onto my purse strap, I quicken my pace. Repeating dozens of reassurance, it still couldn't help but feel afraid. Trying desperately to get a glimpse but only the aligning step came closer. Looking across the street, I wondered if I should cross. But I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. It was nothing, I was just obsessing. Yet, it didn't seem like it. But when I didn't hear anything. I turned back impulsively. Staring back at me was an empty sidewalk. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I kept repeating it over and over that it was nothing. Still the nagging inside my head were blasting SOS sirens. Where did it go? There was no nearest bend, only a one way street.
I pause into stone feeling a warm air down my neck, something was behind me. A strangled scream escaped my lips when I felt a drag at my scalp. Hitting sold grounds, everywhere went dark.
"Stay still" I heard the salty whisper echoed. Pressing my windpipe, I grabbed into its firm hold. Scrapping with my nails, it felt hard like granite. My efforts only made it pin harder. I choked on spit, my vision becoming blurry.
"Be quiet" came a hiss followed by a brutal knock to my skull. I saw stars spinning right after the pain. It made me stop immediately drawing back into my skin. I refused to answer to my instinct and avoid the pain my assaulter brought. I wanted all this to end, so I stayed still. I wished for it to be swift but it wasn't fast enough. I felt everything, the rapid beating of my heart and pulps of adrenaline. But I wasn't in a fight and flight mood anymore. I didn't kick my leg or fight the invisible force. I was hopeless and weak and It was too strong. But I didn't want this to end, not like this in the hands of someone else. Despite my plea for help, I knew I couldn't take any more blows.
"I will make this as painless as possible" came the sadistic whisper. Holding tightly on my neck, I whisper out faintly feeling my muscles contract together. Warmth trickled down my collarbone pressing down the beating nerve of my neck. Despite myself, I closed my eyes, electric shivers running through my spin. Groaning out in pain, the sensation was an invention. Crying out, I felt the sharp piercing inside my skin. Burning through my senses, I couldn't tell what was going on. Everything was hardwired, I could only think of one emotion and how much I wanted it to stop. I was paralyzed with fear. Wishing for all this to be over.
"What are you"? Came a distant shrill. Then came a harsh shovel. My spin catching the impact. Everything laid flat a tireless sting of discord. I welcomed the solace, drifting into unconsciousness.